With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic temporarily delaying the finish to the 2019/20 season, the National League board have a tough call on their hands.
After approximately 90% of the clubs involved in the National League and National League North and South voted for the season's remaining fixtures to be cancelled, it has left the campaign up in the air regarding which teams will reach the promise land of the EFL and who will face their untimely demise down the leagues. The National League have stated that there are three possible scenarios to resolve the league's current state: to expunge all results, confirm clubs' final league positions as of now, or to calculate them on a mathematical formula, which would have to be approved by the FA council.
This could mean good or bad news for high-flying Yeovil Town, who have excelled so far in the National League, currently sitting 4th in a highly contested play-off position and being one of the favourites to go up if the play-offs were to happen, with a crowd or behind-closed-doors.
One reason for the Glover's high position is emphatic forward Courtney Duffus, who is joint seventh in the golden boot race having netted a prolific 13 goals so far this campaign.
Duffus spoke on the National League's decision to cancel fixtures, saying: "Yeah, it was very disappointing. We were having a really good season on a club level and also a personal level, however I fully understand why.
"I feel that people's health should always be put first whether cancelling football saved one persons life or thousands of lives it was the right thing to do."
Duffus has led the line for Yeovil alongside fellow goal-machine Rhys Murphy, whom Duffus praised: "Yeah, it makes a huge difference and I think to have a connection like we have on the pitch and understand each others game as much as we do isn't something you see too often these days, or something that comes unnaturally."
However, the ex-Everton talent also took time to applaud another fellow National League attacker, claiming: "I really like Kyle Wooton for Notts County. I remember playing against him this season and I remember thinking he's a good striker. He was very strong and held it up well."
The Glover's front-man continued to eulogize the strength of the squad, heaping gratitude onto manager Darren Sarll: "He's been great. He's really got me playing back to my best at times this season and as you can see the rest of the team love playing for him, and the fans love having him in the dug-out."
Alongside his career at club level, Duffus also made three appearances for the Republic of Ireland Under-21's side, despite the fact he is eligible to play for England and Jamaica too, even netting a goal to remember: "That was a great feeling, up there with one of my favourite moments so far. I was just gutted it took so long for my passport and things to get sorted so I could've represented them earlier on in the campaign.
"My loyalties rest with Ireland as it is my grandmother who was Irish and it would make my mum really proud if I was to ever play in their national team."
Alongside playing for the Irish under-21 national team, Duffus also spent time at club level in Ireland, featuring for Premier Division side Waterford whilst on loan from Oldham Athletic. Whilst featuring for the Blues, Duffus bagged himself ten goals in 25 games, two of them coming in a unforgettable 2-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers: "My time at Waterford had a huge impact on me as I had a difficult period before that with injury and illness. It was out there that I started enjoying playing football and I showed people that what I had been through hadn't stopped me from being able to play at my best still."
Despite spending time in Ireland for club and country, the poacher began his career at Cheltenham Town before exceeding at a trial for Premier League giants Everton, alongside his younger brother Tyrone. Duffus stated: "To be honest when I was that age I don't remember being nervous at all. I think as a kid you just love playing football and going to Everton on trial, I didn't think much of it.
"For me I was going up there for another game of football. It was easier having Tyrone there with me of course, and it worked out perfectly that we both signed there together."
Duffus continued to commend his younger sibling, saying: "I'm proud of him of course. I'm proud of all my brothers. I keep tab of his games differently, as soon as I speak to my mum after my games she tells me as she follows us both at 3pm every Saturday.
"I'm proud of how he's progressing. He's taken a slightly different path as he's had such bad luck with injury and I haven't seen him play for a long time but he showed me a video of his clips of last season not too long ago, and he's great.
"I'm also thinking to myself that you're a mad bastard going into tackles like you do after all the injury problems you've had. We're definitely different on the pitch! Given the opportunity and if he stays fit, he will be a top player."
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